Carlo's POV: “N–yes.” I chuckled under my breath. “Go on, tell me why you're being punished.” “I.. er.. because.” She paused, breathing heavily as if trying to catch her breath. “Uh.. I barged into your office and spoke rudely to you.” Close enough. “That you did, but that is not why you're in this situation right now.” I heard the moment her breath hitched. “It's… it's not?” Well, it was until I changed my mind. I don't say that out loud. Wanted to keep her guessing. I moved closer to bed, admiring my handiwork on her skin. With how reddish and tender it looked, I bet she wouldn't be able to sit for days without thinking of this moment.Good.I liked the idea of being on her mind all the time.Well, for now, let's get right back to business. “I'm still waiting for your reply, bella. It's either that or I double the punishment.” “Shit.” She cursed under her breath, and I could almost hear the gears in her head turning. “You have only sixty seconds to give me a reply,” I said,
Natalia's POV: First, the fog cleared, next, my eyes fluttered open. And then I realized; I can't feel my limbs. I couldn't move either. But I could feel hands on me. My body felt like it didn't belong to me. And maybe, it didn't. Not with the way Carlo had manhandled me. I definitely should get on his nerves more often if it was gonna end up the way it did. “Can you walk?” Carlo's deep voice penetrated my thoughts and my bleary eyes shifted to him. “We need to shower, can you walk or do I need to carry you?” I guess you'd have to carry me. I tried to speak but my tongue felt too lazy and my throat was sore from all the screaming. So all I could do was stare at him, drinking in the sight of him in a disheveled state. His thick, dark hair looked wet on some parts from sweat, some strands were flustered to his forehead. My eyes dropped to his bare chest, showing off his impressive pecs. Somewhere along the line he'd taken off his clothes, untied me and cuddled me against
Natalia's POV: Morning sun filtered into my room, forcing me awake. My eyes squeezed shut as I rolled over, away from the window.I still needed to get some more sleep in. My body felt so weak, I'll probably need two weeks’ worth of sleep ro get back to normal. Satisfied with my new position, I hugged my pillow tightly against my chest, drifting into another peaceful sleep when a knock on my door interrupted.“For fuck’s sake!” I muttered under my breath but not moving. Maybe if I didn't answer, whoever was at the door would go away—KNOCK!! KNOCK!! “What now?!” I groaned loudly, tossing the pillow I'd been cuddling across the room. I just need so few minutes to myself, why couldn't I just get that?!KNOCK! KNOCK! “Goddammit! I'm coming!” I yelled, tossing back my covers as I slid out of bed, stomping over to my door. I grabbed the doorknob, twisting it and I yanked it open. As soon as the door opened, I came face to face with a maid and my irritation grew. “Now why would you keep
Natalia's POV: ‘I like Carlo.’ The moment the word escaped my lips, the air around us stilled. My pulse quickened and it felt as though the heater had been turned on to its maximum temperature. Angela's fingers stilled in my hair and I pushed myself up, shifting until I was seated opposite her. She just stared at me, her expression unreadable. Embarrassment washed over me like a tidal wave, the whole situation was awkward. Why did I think it was okay to blurt it out like that? What was I thinking? This was stupid, so stupid.. “Or maybe not. I don't like Carlo. Never will. I guess I was just confused? I dunno. Just—” A loud bubble of laughter escaped her, cutting my rambling off and if I thought my cheeks felt hot earlier, it was like a burning furnace now. “Just… just forget about it.” “Forget about the fact that you admitted to liking my brother? Hell no,” she said between laughter, her shoulder trembling with it.“Did you miss the part where I said, ‘I think?’ I made a mistake
Carlo's POV: The soft raping had me lifting my eyes from my laptop. “Come in.” My eyes shifted back to my laptop and I continued working as the door creaked open. I heard it click shut but didn't bother looking up.“Hey.” My shoulders stiffened, hairs stood at the back of my neck as that familiar voice echoed around the four walls of my office. My gaze met dark blue ones. “Didn't think you'd be home.” She pulled out the chair across my desk and lowered herself into it. “Seriously, do you ever go to your company's office?” “I do, when necessary—” I paused abruptly. Why was I explaining myself? “What are you doing here, Natalia?” She arched her brows, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of those sensual lips. “Natalia? You rarely call me that.” I felt my stomach clenched but I maintained my cool on the outside, returning my attention back to my screen. “What do you want? I have a lot on my plate.” “You've been avoiding me, why?” My eyes met hers again as my mind darted back to t
Natalia's POV: Ding! My phone chimed with an incoming text and my heart leapt like it knew who it was. I grabbed my phone from my bedside table, glancing at its screen.Grumpy asshole: My room in five.My stomach flipped. Hard.I knew he'd give in. I might not be certain about a lot of things but this one, I was quite sure of.One thing I knew for certain is that Carlo was insanely attracted to me as I was to him even if he didn't have feelings for me—the thought of that made my chest ache but I chose to ignore it. I knew what it was from the start.Which takes me back to what I said to Angela. To Carlo, this was just sex, hot, dirty, wild sex. Nothing more. Even though I was starting to want ‘more.’Pushing away the negative thoughts, I got off my bed, and out of my room. I slipped into the hallway, heading straight for his room, my heart pumping fast with anticipation and excitement.Few rooms away from his bedroom, I caught myself grinning from ear to ear and my smile dropped ins
Natalia's POV: Sweat beaded at his forehead, jaws slack, pupils blown wide and his expression twisted in pure, intense pleasure. I could tell he couldn't handle it anymore. Could tell from the way his cock twitched in my mouth and how full his balls looked.I doubled my effort, swallowing down his cock like a pro, my head bopping rapidly. Gawking sounds mixed with his harsh pants echoed around us. My mouth ached, my throat felt sore but it did nothing to dampen my arousal. In fact, my poor panties were drenched in my juices“Madonna, you're sucking me so good,” he groaned and I preened at his praise. I pulled off his cock, saliva coating my lips and where it connected it to his thick length. I slid lower on my knees until my skirt barely covered my ass. I took one heavy ball into my mouth, sucking it in, careful not to use my teeth while my hand moved up and down his shaft. With the way his breath hitched and his inner thighs flexed, I knew I was driving him insane. So I jerked h
Natalia's POV: I snapped out of daze and I couldn't tell what possessed me to react, maybe later, I'd question myself. “Carlo!” I yelled, marching over to him. “Stop doing that!” His eyes snapped to mine, a shocked expression flickered on his face before morphing into anger. “Get out!” No way! I fell to my knees beside him, my stomach twisting and churning as my eyes fell to the fresh wounds he'd carved into his right forearm. “Leave!” He barked again, but I could barely hear him over the sound of my pounding heart. Tears stung my eyes, blurring my vision of the brutally wounded arm and the way blood dripped from it onto the floor like a faulty faucet. He pushed himself up, about to get to his feet when I grabbed his wounded arm and he winced. “Why are you doing this?” My tear-filled eyes met his, my chest heavy with a mix of emotions. I could barely breathe. “Why do you hurt yourself, at first I thought….” What did I think? Nothing. No one explained things to me, the
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & THIRTY-FOUR: Luca's POV: FLASHBACK..THE PREVIOUS DAY…Taking my phone out, I typed out one last text message and I hit send.I stared at the text I'd just sent to Enzo.Me: I know who shot Gianpaolo. Call me.As I waited for a reply or his call, I had time to reflect on my decision. There was no going back now. I thought as I drove back home.I was being fooled by Angela and it had to stop. I loved her. I really did but I know better now…She didn't love me. Not one bit.I was nothing but a tool and yes, years ago, when it all started, I knew our relationship was forbidden but something about the genuine love and care she'd shown me made me say, ‘fuck it.’ There was a time where I thought only she understood me. That her love was special. Sure, papà loved me, zia too but with Angela, it had been different. I'd shared my problems with her and she'd done the same. She'd told me the story about her mother's death and I really wanted to make amends, for her s
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & THIRTY-THREE: Luca's POV: She barely had time to register what was going on as both men bound her arms at her back and she spat at Enzo. “You slimy bastard! You could have just killed me!” He shrugged, shoving his gun back into his pocket. “I already told you,” he smiled cruelly. “Death for you, is mercy. When Carlo hears about everything Luca and I have to say to him? It's going to be so much fun.”“Fuck you!” He jutted his chin. “Take her to the car.” “Yes, boss.”“Fucking bastards!” She yelled, kicking her feet as the men held on to her tightly. “Spineless piece of shit, Luca!” I felt my heart squeezed. But it was okay. I was okay.I did the right thing.I DID THE RIGHT THING.So why does it hurt?“...That's why I never loved you!! Never man enough!! Never ever useful!!! Too weak! Too pathetic! Too—”“You're disgusting, Angela,” Enzo cut her insults off. “You're the pathetic one, Angela. He was a fucking child!!” He barked and I flinched, clamping my l
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & THIRTY-TWO:Luca's POV:The look on her face was almost comical if the situation wasn't already crazy.She looked beyond shocked, disbelief written on her face and it just showed how little she rated me. Well, not anymore.It hurt, I wouldn't lie. It does but fuck it.In seconds, she schooled her features, putting on that mastery art of hers… “Sir, I think you have me mistaken, I'm not Angela,” she tried to give a sign, her eyes pleading with mine as a fake smile stretched her lips. “And if you'll excuse me, I have other patients to attend to.” She tried to move but Enzo stepped forward. “Take off that bloody wig, bitch!!” His voice was a deep, dangerous command, at this point, he didn't need to pull out a gun to inflict fear… His aura was enough.But then, Angela was no easy opponent. Of course, she didn't back down, she kept that smile still in place her eyes darting between Enzo and I like we were crazy.“I'm sorry,” she let out a small laugh. “Why am I being
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & THIRTY-ONE: Angela's POV: The closer I got to VIP ward 305, the more the pounding of my heart increased.It was now or never.This was dangerous. I knew that but it was worth the risk. I knew to expect at least at least a guard or three surrounding his room but I wasn't trained in martial arts for the sake of it and I could be sly as fuck. What's a bunch of guards that I couldn't take on?Hopefully, it doesn't get to that and I wouldn't be needing to fight. I was in a nurse's attire, hopefully, I'm unrecognized. Even my eyes were brown, instead of blue. It should work.Turns out, Gianpaolo's room wasn't just along the others in the hallway, you had to take a turn, just a bit by the right.Wow.They must have really wanted him safe, I scoffed to myself.Just as I turned right and noticed the room, there on the mini waiting chair was a guard who looked tired from fighting sleep but awake. To his left were three cups of coffee, leftover food—he wasn't alone.Where
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & THIRTY: Angela's POV: THE NEXT NIGHT…2:08 PMSurprisingly, it had taken Luca a few hours to get me the address, ward and time of the nurses and doctor's routine. Guess he was not so useless after all.Turns out the hospital was one of the most popular in the country. They were really hiding in plain sight. I took out my binoculars, getting ready to get my job done. Thankfully, it was one of those gigantic buildings with windows EVERYWHERE.I adjusted my binoculars, squinting to get a good view and make sure my plan is perfect and fool proof. I mustn't make mistakes this time.The hospital came into a clearer view right before my eyes. I noticed there were fewer nurses at the reception—about four or five, two are currently fighting and failing to keep their eyes open behind the desk and I scoffed. I raised the binoculars to the first floor—completely empty. The third—I could see a nurse and a doctor…wait… are they about to fuck? Whatever.I moved my attention
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-NINE:Natalia's POV: My stomach was in painful knots as the doctor led us to his room. My hands felt clammy, and my legs felt weak but I kept moving. According to the doctor, we weren't allowed to see him yet but we could just take a glance through the windows and that was okay for me for now, I guess.I don't know if Carlo noticed my uneasiness; his hand squeezed mine a bit tighter, as if grounding me and I was grateful for it.We got to the window and I couldn't hold back the single tear that rolled down my cheek as a small gasp pushed past my lips. I was vaguely aware of Carlo's arm coming around my shoulders as I stared at Gianpaolo— my father.The number tube, IVs, had my heart sinking and I stifled a sob, a big bandage went around his head and machines I've never seen before— “Oh God,” I let out a sob, my chest heaved as I tried to swallow my cries. I promised to be strong. I will be strong.My eyes burned with hot tears as I stared at his motionle
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-EIGHT:Carlo's POV: The doctor had said the exact thing Enzo had said. He'd asked that we hoped and prayed. ‘Prayed.’I haven't done that in fucking ages. Where do I start from? And in my experience, it usually goes unanswered. But the way things were going, I didn't mind going down on my knees and trying again. Praying in hope that Gianpaolo makes it out alive.He has to. Not quite long after, Natalia had regained consciousness. Camilla assured me that it was nothing serious, apart from the detected low sugar level which made me frown. Haven't they been watching her diet? Giving her the best meds? And then I thought back to the incident in the last few days. No one around here has had it easy so I brushed it aside and asked that they recommended the right food and all and got my own copy of the list the doctors had made so I could also monitor her feeding and the rest.Soon after Camilla had cleared her, she was up on her feet and asking to be tak
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-SEVEN: Natalia's POV: ‘...He's fighting for his life.’I swayed on my feet, suddenly lightheaded as my chest wound up so tight no air escaped or came in. My vision blurred but I could feel hands trying to steady me.I… I only just got him back.Why?Why?!!!!Why me all the time!?!?What if he dies? WHAT IF HE DIES?!Oh God. Oh God. Which superior being's meal had I pissed in before I was born? Why was I allowed happiness for a fleeting second only to watch it being snatched away?! And… and… Gianpaolo? My heart ached. He's only just met me too! I heard muffled voices around me but I couldn't seem to concentrate. I knew I was panicking but I couldn't do anything about it.Fuck. Fuck.I can't have a panic attack now. My… my baby. It will upset them….I tried to claw my way back to sanity but my throat ached, my chest felt like it trapped air in it and I couldn't fucking breathe.Now, I was panicking because I thought I was killing my baby.I was desper
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-SIX: Carlo’s POV: Something about the urgency of Enzo’s voice made my stomach tighten and beside me, I could feel Natalia go stiff. What could be the problem now? “…Look, if he's upset again, I can go speak with him, there’s no need for trouble,” Natalia said from beside me, already making a move to slip out of bed when I shook my head. “Don’t worry, there will be no trouble,” I assured her. I had no intention of fighting with the man. Still, I wasn't going to hug and kiss his cheeks and make up but for her, I’m willing to act civil. She eyed me with uncertainty and concern. “Are you sure? You heard Enzo, he says there's a problem.”“Doesn’t mean I’ll let it escalate,” I replied calmly. “Come on now, let’s freshen up and we can deal with whatever afterward—”“But, Carlo—”“We reek of sweat and sex, we should clean up before solving whatever the problem is,” I urged and then turned to the door with a louder voice. “Enzo, we’ll be down in ten min—”“Fi